Japan Tourist Surge Sparks Five-Fold Visa Fee Price Hike
To cope with a massive influx of 42 million overseas visitors, Japan is raising single-entry visa fees from US$18 to over US$90 for non-exempt nations starting this July. While Taiwan and 73 other countries remain exempt thanks to mutual visa-free agreements, tourists from countries like China, India, and Vietnam will feel the squeeze. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae says the revenue will subsidize passports for domestic citizens, though local residents worry the steep jump could stifle international cultural exchange.
